Nearly 20,000 People Flock to Busan Waterfront Park to See a Shark
Thousands of people headed to a waterfront park in Busan, South Korea, over the weekend to see a shark swimming just off the walking path.
The shark was first reported around 8:57 a.m. on September 18 at North Port Waterfront Park. It was estimated to be between 3 and 4 meters long (or about 9 feet 10 inches) and had made its way into a waterway connected to the sea.
After receiving the report, the Busan Coast Guard responded with patrol boats and other crews and issued a safety alert asking people near the park to be careful.
By the weekend, people were showing up just to see the shark. Busan officials estimated about 8,800 visitors on Saturday and another 10,000 on Sunday. Keep in mind that the park normally sees around 2,000 people a day on weekends.
Crews Tried to Guide It Back to Sea
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The Coast Guard spent about six hours trying to move the shark toward open water on September 18. Crews even used shark-repelling equipment, but it didn’t leave.
The National Institute of Fisheries Science recommended stopping the effort because continuing to push the shark could make it more aggressive. Officials decided to wait and see if it would find its way out on its own, but the shark was still in the waterway several days later.
The Crowds Kept Coming
About 10,000 people visited the park again on Monday, September 21, according to figures from Busan officials. The shark has also picked up a nickname, “Bukangi,” and videos of it swimming around the park have spread across social media.
Some visitors have shown up with long camera lenses, while others have lined the railing waiting for its fin to appear above the water.
Officials Are Still Watching the Shark
Busan, the Coast Guard, the Busan Port Authority and the National Institute of Fisheries Science met on September 22 to discuss what to do if the shark doesn’t leave on its own.
Experts told SBS that the narrow, shallow waterway isn’t a good place for the shark to stay long-term.
Officials have also been keeping people back from the water. The Coast Guard has warned visitors not to get too close because the shark could become dangerous if it is disturbed. For now, officials are still monitoring the shark while they decide whether to help guide it back out to sea.
